Effectiveness
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JAnDbot
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robot Removing: [[ru:Эффективность]], [[uk:Ефективність]], [[zh:效能]]
{{Wiktionary}}
'''Effectiveness''' means the capability of producing an [[effect]].
In [[Physics]], an effective theory is, similar to a [[Phenomenology (science)|phenomenological]] theory, a framework intended to explain certain (observed) effects without the claim that the theory correctly models the underlying (unobserved) processes. An example is an [[effective field theory]] that "pretends" that certain effects are caused by a [[Field (physics)|field]] even if it is known that this is not actually the case. In a way, any theory of Physics is fundamentally an effective theory, since there is no meaningful distinction of observables and [[reality]] within the scope of Physics (see also [[For All Practical Purposes|FAPP]], ''[[cogito ergo sum]]'', [[Phenomenalism]], [[Pragmatism]]).
The word ''effective'' is sometimes used in a quantitative way, "being very or not much effective". However it does not inform on the direction (positive or negative) and the comparison to a standard of the given effect.
[[Efficacy]], on the other hand, is the ability to produce a desired amount of the desired effect, or success in achieving a given goal. Contrary to [[efficiency]], the focus of efficacy is the achievement as such, not the resources spent in achieving the desired effect. Therefore, what is effective is not necessarily efficacious, and what is efficacious is not necessarily efficient.
An ordinary way to distinguish among effectiveness, efficacy, and efficiency:
*efficiency: doing things "right", i.e. in the best and most economical way
*efficacy: getting things done, i.e. meeting immediate targets
*effectiveness: doing "right" things, i.e. setting right targets to achieve an overall goal (the ''effect'')
*(effectivity: mostly synonym to effectiveness; usage is rather rare)
== See also ==
* [[Efficacy]]
For the medical meaning of 'effectiveness', see discussion at [[efficacy]].
[[Category:Economics terminology]]
[[Category:Qualities of thought]]
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